VIRGINIANS FOR
ALTERNATIVES
TO THE DEATH PENALTY
HELP STOP VIRGINIA’S 109% EXECUTION - August 18",
2011
Jerry Terrell Jackson is scheduled to be executed by the
Commonwealth of Virginia on Thursday, August 18.
Governor McDonnell has in the past declined to intervene in
executions earlier than is typical so it is crucial that you
make your voice heard NOW. If you have not yet done so,
please contact Governor McDonnell and urge him to stop
the execution and commute Mr. Jackson’s sentence to life in
rison. (See below for key points to make to the Governor.
Here is contact information for Governor McDonnell. It is
best if you contact him by mail and/or telephone.
The Honorable Robert F. McDonnell
Office of the Governor
Patrick Henry Building, 3d Floor
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 786-2211
asen.Eige@governor.virginia.gov (Mr. Eige is the
attorney assisting the Governor with clemency.)
Should the Governor let the execution proceed, we urge all
of our members to make it to the vigil at the execution site
at Greensville Correctional Center in Jarrat, VA, which will
be led by VADP Board President, Matthew Engle. Scroll to
the bottom of this message or click here for directions to
the Jarrat vigil or to find out where your local vigil will be
held. The vigil will focus on both the victim (Ruth Phillips)
and her family and on Mr. Jackson and his family.
Here are some key facts from Mr. Jackson’s case that you
should consider using in drafting your communication to the
Governor:
Each juror asked to determine whether Jerry Terrell Jackson
should be sentenced to death for the August 2001 murder of
Ms. Ruth Phillips took an oath to base his or her decision on
all the evidence, including Mr. Jackson’s history and
background.
But jurors never heard the truth about the pervasive,
terrorizing and extreme emotional, physical, and sexual
violence inflicted on Mr. Jackson since early childhood.
Instead, they heard from Mr. Jackson’s abusers—tragically
his parents, Levi Hamilton and Amelia Knight, and step-
father Tim Knight—who accused their child of being a “bad
egg” in need of stern discipline. They claimed that they all
“got along” and disciplined Terrell as best they knew how.
Terrell’s own defense counsel told jurors, “I got the belt. I got
it. I bet you all got it.”
No one even spoke with Jackson’s older sister Chandal or
his brother Damien to find out what really happened. The
physical abuse began when Terrell was only two years-old
and his arm was broken. Damien recalled that Levi Hamilton
“beat me and Terrell for the slightest thing,” and “[t]he
beatings were a nearly daily occurrence.” They were confined
like prisoners for the slightest infraction—like walking in front
of the television— and beaten with a belt if they moved even to
go to the bathroom. The brothers witnessed Hamilton’s
frequent beatings of their mother. When they tried to
intervene, they were hit as well. Tim Knight engaged in
bizarre, extreme, and humiliating punishment, like forcing 10
year-old Terrell to strip naked while he struck him more than
75 times with a belt. He also made the boys strip naked in the
attic and do pushups, sit-ups, and jumping jacks in the nude
while he watched. Chandal noticed that the worst aggression
was focused on Terrell. She described finding Terrell
completely naked, crying, and covered with welt marks on his
legs, thighs, and buttocks where he had been beaten with a 2-
by-4 board of wood.
U. S. District Judge Brinkema vacated Mr. Jackson’s death
sentence because of his counsel’s failure to present these
facts to the sentencing jury, but the Court of Appeals
reversed on the ground that Judge Brinkema did not have
the authority to make such a ruling because of a legal
technicality. The Governor is the only person in authority
who can consider the truth of Mr. Jackson’s horrifying
childhood treatment and correct the manifest injustice of
his sentencing proceeding.
In these special circumstances, Governor McDonnell should
not allow Mr. Jackson to be put to death on August 18,
2011.
Execution vigils will be held for the victims and the condemned at
locations throughout the state. Scroll down to find a vigil in your
area.
GREENSVILLE CORRECTIONAL CENTER
Execution site - Jarratt, VA
Gather at 8:30 pm end by 9:30 pm
DIRECTIONS: The Greensville Correctional Center is located in
Greensville County, not far from the town of Jarratt in Sussex County.
Jarratt is at exit 20 off I-95, 55 miles south of Richmond, and 20
miles north of the North Carolina border. After taking exit 20 turn
right at the end of the exit ramp if coming from Richmond (turn left if
coming from Emporia). The first stop sign is at the intersection with
US 301. There are convenience stores at the intersection, which have
rest facilities (there are no rest facilities for us at the prison). Turn
left (south) onto 301 and go eight-tenths of a mile. Turn right on the
state road 397, Ridge Road (there is a marker for Greensville
Correctional Center). Cross the railroad tracks and you'll soon see the
prison gate. Park in the field on the right hand side. Bring a flashlight
and bug repellent.
Those needing or willing to provide a carpool, please call us at 1-888-
567-VADP.
ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria Friends Meeting at Woodlawn
8660 Woodlawn Road, Ft.Belvoir, VA
Barbara Ginsburg: 703-455-0194, jbginsburg@verizon.net.
John Carle: JCthird@aol.com
ARLINGTON
Clarendon Metro:
Vigil will be held in the public park between Clarendon and Wilson
Boulevards, right behind the Metro exit.
Contact: Tobias Salinger, 816-721-4037, tsalinger79@gmail.com
ASHLAND
St. Ann's Catholic Church, 8:30 pm
1-804-798-5039, ask for Debbie Novroski or Marty Moran
BLACKSBURG (see Radford)
CHARLOTTESVILLE
Protest: Charlottesville Circuit Courthouse, 12:00 pm
315 E.High Street
Virginia Rovynak: (540) 456-6930
Vigil: Friends Meeting House, 8:45 pm
1104 Forest Street
Harry Landers: (434) 978-1351
FAIRFAX
St. Mary of Sorrows Parish (in the Grotto area outside the church) 8:45-
9:15 pm, Rt. 123 and Fairfax Station Rd.
Mason Nottingham: (703) 323-5726
Carol Mayfield: (703) 978-4141, ext 19
FARMVILLE
Farmville Courthouse
Tim & Barbara Lietzke: (434) 223-4160
HARRISONBURG
The Harrisonburg Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Committee plans
to hold vigils beginning at 8:45 p.m. the night of each execution, on
the south side of Court Square.
Chris Edwards: (540) 434-0457, edwards.chris@comcast.net
Linda Royster: (540) 828-3750, Ilroyster@gmail.com
HERNDON
We are currently seeking a volunteer coordinator for the
Reston/Herndon vigil.
LEE COUNTY
Holy Spirit Catholic Community, 9 p.m.
Beth Davies: 276-383-4693 (eve), 276-546-5432 (day),
aec@windbits.net
LEXINGTON
Old County Courthouse
8:45 pm, Main Street
Kathy Fox: (540) 463-7001
LOUDOUN COUNTY
Goose Creek Friends Meeting
8:00 pm, Lincoln (Loudon County)
We are currently seeking a volunteer coordinator for this vigil.
LYNCHBURG
Lynchburg Peace Education Center
8:30 pm, First Christian Church, 3109 Rivermont Ave.
Contact Ev Heath: (434) 660-7566
MADISON
Madison County Court House
6:30-7:30pm
Mary Grace: (540) 948-6328
MANASSAS
Peace Pole (at Lee Ave. and Grant Ave.) 8:45-9:45 p.m.
Jeff & Sharon Haydon: (703) 369-3407
Ilana Naylor: (703) 361-8306
Joan Betz: (703) 361-806
MONETA
We are currently seeking a volunteer coordinator for the Smith Mtn
Lake area.
NEWPORT NEWS
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 100 Harpersville Rd, 8:30 pm
Mary Ann Stiegleman: (757) 595-0385 ext. 118, mas@olmc.org
NORFOLK
Norfolk City Jail - St. Paul's Blvd. and City Hall Ave. 5-6 p.m
Kim, Steve, or Sam - Catholic Workers: (757) 423-5420
RADFORD
A vigil will not be held at this location on March 18th 2010
7:00 p.m.
Meet at Radford Public Library
Contact Taryn Chase at anyslyenchanter@hotmail.com and (540)239-
6647
RICHMOND
Richmond Friends Meeting, 8:30 pm
Contact: Ann Gray: (804) 359-5108 or John Gallini: (804) 272-8141
ROANOKE
There will now be two vigils in Roanoke, both in downtown Roanoke in
front of the City Market Building on Campbell Ave.
The first will be from noon-1pm and the second from 8:45-9:15pm
Please contact Gene Edmunds at (540) 343-3100 for more information.
VIRGINIA BEACH
Star of the Sea Church, 1404 Pacific Ave., 7:00 - 7:30pm
Martha Franklin: (757) 422-8282
WARRENTON
We are seeking a vigil coordinator. Call (434) 960-7779.
WINCHESTER
Shenandoah University, Goodson chapel, 8:30 PM
WOODBRIDGE
St Paul United Methodist Church, 1400 G. Street, 8:30 - 9:15pm
Mike Wilson: (703) 680-4972, mwilson6794@aol.com
VIRGINIANS FOR
ALTERNATIVES
TO THE DEATH PENALTY
HELP STOP VIRGINIA’S 109% EXECUTION - August 18",
2011
Jerry Terrell Jackson is scheduled to be executed by the
Commonwealth of Virginia on Thursday, August 18.
Click here to view a video of Terrell's brother Damien and
the psychologist whose testimony persuaded Judge
Brinkema that, if Terrell's jury had heard this evidence
there is a reasonable probability the jury would not have
sentenced him to death. The Court of Appeals ruled, on the
basis of a legal technicality, that Judge Brinkema did not
have the authority to make such a ruling. There is no
restriction on Governor McDonnell's authority to consider
this evidence and decide that Mr. Jackson did not receive
the kind of accurate and individualized attention required
by Virginia law, and, therefore, that his death sentence
should be commuted. Governor McDonnell will decide soon
whether Mr. Jackson will live or die, so you NEED TO ACT
NOW.
If you have not yet done so, please contact Governor
McDonnell by this Friday and urge him to stop the
execution and commute Mr. Jackson’s sentence to life in
rison. (See below for key points to make to the Governor.
Here is contact information for Governor McDonnell. It is
best if you contact him by mail and/or telephone.
The Honorable Robert F. McDonnell
Office of the Governor
Patrick Henry Building, 3d Floor
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 786-2211
asen.Eige@governor.virginia.gov (Mr. Eige is the
attorney assisting the Governor with clemency.)
Should the Governor let the execution proceed, we urge all
of our members to make it to the vigil at the execution site
at Greensville Correctional Center in Jarrat, VA, which will
be led by VADP Board President, Matthew Engle. Scroll to
the bottom of this message or click here for directions to
the Jarrat vigil or to find out where your local vigil will be
held. The vigil will focus on both the victim (Ruth Phillips)
and her family and on Mr. Jackson and his family.
Here are some key facts from Mr. Jackson’s case that you
should consider using in drafting your communication to the
Governor:
Each juror asked to determine whether Jerry Terrell Jackson
should be sentenced to death for the August 2001 murder of
Ms. Ruth Phillips took an oath to base his or her decision on
all the evidence, including Mr. Jackson’s history and
background.
But jurors never heard the truth about the pervasive,
terrorizing and extreme emotional, physical, and sexual
violence inflicted on Mr. Jackson since early childhood.
Instead, they heard from Mr. Jackson’s abusers—tragically
his parents, Levi Hamilton and Amelia Knight, and step-
father Tim Knight—who accused their child of being a “bad
egg” in need of stern discipline. They claimed that they all
“got along” and disciplined Terrell as best they knew how.
Terrell’s own defense counsel told jurors, “I got the belt. I got
it. I bet you all got it.”
No one even spoke with Jackson’s older sister Chandal or
his brother Damien to find out what really happened. The
physical abuse began when Terrell was only two years-old
and his arm was broken. Damien recalled that Levi Hamilton
“beat me and Terrell for the slightest thing,” and “[t]he
beatings were a nearly daily occurrence.” They were confined
like prisoners for the slightest infraction—like walking in front
of the television— and beaten with a belt if they moved even to
go to the bathroom. The brothers witnessed Hamilton’s
frequent beatings of their mother. When they tried to
intervene, they were hit as well. Tim Knight engaged in
bizarre, extreme, and humiliating punishment, like forcing 10
year-old Terrell to strip naked while he struck him more than
75 times with a belt. He also made the boys strip naked in the
attic and do pushups, sit-ups, and jumping jacks in the nude
while he watched. Chandal noticed that the worst aggression
was focused on Terrell. She described finding Terrell
completely naked, crying, and covered with welt marks on his
legs, thighs, and buttocks where he had been beaten with a 2-
by-4 board of wood.
U. S. District Judge Brinkema vacated Mr. Jackson’s death
sentence because of his counsel’s failure to present these
facts to the sentencing jury, but the Court of Appeals
reversed on the ground that Judge Brinkema did not have
the authority to make such a ruling because of a legal
technicality. The Governor is the only person in authority
who can consider the truth of Mr. Jackson’s horrifying
childhood treatment and correct the manifest injustice of
his sentencing proceeding.
In these special circumstances, Governor McDonnell should
not allow Mr. Jackson to be put to death on August 18,
2011.
Execution vigils will be held for the victims and the condemned at
locations throughout the state. Scroll down to find a vigil in your
area.
GREENSVILLE CORRECTIONAL CENTER
Execution site - Jarratt, VA
Gather at 8:30 pm end by 9:30 pm
DIRECTIONS: The Greensville Correctional Center is located in
Greensville County, not far from the town of Jarratt in Sussex County.
Jarratt is at exit 20 off I-95, 55 miles south of Richmond, and 20
miles north of the North Carolina border. After taking exit 20 turn
right at the end of the exit ramp if coming from Richmond (turn left if
coming from Emporia). The first stop sign is at the intersection with
US 301. There are convenience stores at the intersection, which have
rest facilities (there are no rest facilities for us at the prison). Turn
left (south) onto 301 and go eight-tenths of a mile. Turn right on the
state road 397, Ridge Road (there is a marker for Greensville
Correctional Center). Cross the railroad tracks and you'll soon see the
prison gate. Park in the field on the right hand side. Bring a flashlight
and bug repellent.
Those needing or willing to provide a carpool, please call us at 1-888-
567-VADP.
ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria Friends Meeting at Woodlawn
8660 Woodlawn Road, Ft.Belvoir, VA
Barbara Ginsburg: 703-455-0194, jbginsburg@verizon.net.
John Carle: JCthird@aol.com
ARLINGTON
Clarendon Metro:
Vigil will be held in the public park between Clarendon and Wilson
Boulevards, right behind the Metro exit.
Contact: Tobias Salinger, 816-721-4037, tsalinger79@gmail.com
ASHLAND
St. Ann's Catholic Church, 8:30 pm
1-804-798-5039, ask for Debbie Novroski or Marty Moran
BLACKSBURG (see Radford)
CHARLOTTESVILLE
Protest: Charlottesville Circuit Courthouse, 12:00 pm
315 E.High Street
Virginia Rovynak: (540) 456-6930
Vigil: Friends Meeting House, 8:45 pm
1104 Forest Street
Harry Landers: (434) 978-1351
FAIRFAX
St. Mary of Sorrows Parish (in the Grotto area outside the church) 8:45-
9:15 pm, Rt. 123 and Fairfax Station Rd.
Mason Nottingham: (703) 323-5726
Carol Mayfield: (703) 978-4141, ext 19
FARMVILLE
Farmville Courthouse
Tim & Barbara Lietzke: (434) 223-4160
HARRISONBURG
The Harrisonburg Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Committee plans
to hold vigils beginning at 8:45 p.m. the night of each execution, on
the south side of Court Square.
Chris Edwards: (540) 434-0457, edwards.chris@comcast.net
Linda Royster: (540) 828-3750, Ilroyster@gmail.com
HERNDON
We are currently seeking a volunteer coordinator for the
Reston/Herndon vigil.
LEE COUNTY
Holy Spirit Catholic Community, 9 p.m.
Beth Davies: 276-383-4693 (eve), 276-546-5432 (day),
aec@windbits.net
LEXINGTON
Old County Courthouse
8:45 pm, Main Street
Kathy Fox: (540) 463-7001
LOUDOUN COUNTY
Goose Creek Friends Meeting
8:00 pm, Lincoln (Loudon County)
We are currently seeking a volunteer coordinator for this vigil.
LYNCHBURG
Lynchburg Peace Education Center
8:30 pm, First Christian Church, 3109 Rivermont Ave.
Contact Ev Heath: (434) 660-7566
MADISON
Madison County Court House
6:30-7:30pm
Mary Grace: (540) 948-6328
MANASSAS
Peace Pole (at Lee Ave. and Grant Ave.) 8:45-9:45 p.m.
Jeff & Sharon Haydon: (703) 369-3407
Ilana Naylor: (703) 361-8306
Joan Betz: (703) 361-806
MONETA
We are currently seeking a volunteer coordinator for the Smith Mtn
Lake area.
NEWPORT NEWS
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 100 Harpersville Rd, 8:30 pm
Mary Ann Stiegleman: (757) 595-0385 ext. 118, mas@olmc.org
NORFOLK
Norfolk City Jail - St. Paul's Blvd. and City Hall Ave. 5-6 p.m
Kim, Steve, or Sam - Catholic Workers: (757) 423-5420
RADFORD
A vigil will not be held at this location on March 18th 2010
7:00 p.m.
Meet at Radford Public Library
Contact Taryn Chase at anyslyenchanter@hotmail.com and (540)239-
6647
RICHMOND
Richmond Friends Meeting, 8:30 pm
Contact: Ann Gray: (804) 359-5108 or John Gallini: (804) 272-8141
ROANOKE
There will now be two vigils in Roanoke, both in downtown Roanoke in
front of the City Market Building on Campbell Ave.
The first will be from noon-1pm and the second from 8:45-9:15pm
Please contact Gene Edmunds at (540) 343-3100 for more information.
VIRGINIA BEACH
Star of the Sea Church, 1404 Pacific Ave., 7:00 - 7:30pm
Martha Franklin: (757) 422-8282
WARRENTON
We are seeking a vigil coordinator. Call (434) 960-7779.
WINCHESTER
Shenandoah University, Goodson chapel, 8:30 PM
WOODBRIDGE
St Paul United Methodist Church, 1400 G. Street, 8:30 - 9:15pm
Mike Wilson: (703) 680-4972, mwilson6794@aol.com
